Bernard Schoenburg: We don’t speak a lot about politics ...’

Wednesday

DENNIS SHACKELFORD of Rochester, owner of Judy’s Hallmark shops in Springfield, says he’s decided to make a run for the Republican nomination for the new 96th House District.

DENNIS SHACKELFORD of Rochester, owner of Judy’s Hallmark shops in Springfield, says he’s decided to make a run for the Republican nomination for the new 96th House District.

This might create an interesting family situation, though my guess is everybody will continue to get along.

I’m referring to something I didn’t know or recall when I recently wrote about Shackelford’s possible candidacy — that his wife, JUDY, for whom his stores are named, is the fifth of 13 children of former Springfield Mayor OSSIE LANGFELDER, a Democrat.

“They’re a terrific family,” Shackelford, 53, said of the Langfelders, adding that he “couldn’t ask for better in-laws than what I have.”

“We don’t speak a lot about politics when we’re around each other,” Shackelford added. “They’re class people, quality people, and (I’m) proud to have them as my in-laws.”

Shackelford, who is new to elective politics, says the focus of his campaign is “all about jobs.”

“I have been a job creator for almost 29 years now,” he said. “I’m the one that … signs my name on the front of paychecks, and I believe I know about jobs.” He’s also on the board of Williamsville State Bank & Trust.

His three stores combined have at least 55 employees, mostly part time, with more during the holiday season.

Asked about a possible need for more taxes to solve state problems, Shackelford said, “I’m not a tax guy. … I think it’s the state’s duty and responsibility to set a climate that’s conducive to create jobs, and for people to have the dignity of bringing home a paycheck, a good paycheck to support their families.”

I asked about gun policy, and Shackelford said he’s for ending Illinois’ status as the only state that doesn’t allow regular citizens to carry guns.

“I believe in the Second Amendment,” he said. “I am a hunter,” he added, “except for this year, I was out circulating petitions instead of sitting in a deer stand.”

And while he generally thinks “politics should stay out of the bedroom,” he said he is pro-life on abortion, with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

Already filed as a GOP candidate in the March 20 primary is JARED PERRY of Decatur, an Army National Guard veteran of the Iraq war who works as a dispatcher for ADM trucking. Democrats have a spirited race for their nomination, including teacher SUE SCHERER of Decatur, Springfield Ward 5 Ald. SAM CAHNMAN and WINSTON TAYLOR of Springfield, a former University of Illinois football player and former legislative liaison for a state agency.

The new 96th includes Springfield’s east side and medical district, and goes east into Decatur. It has generally been considered a good district for Democrats.

Schock-ing developments
In the not-so-shocking department, U.S. Rep. AARON SCHOCK, R-Peoria, has been getting some publicity this week.

Schock got a front-page picture in Monday’s Chicago Tribune in its story about mailings used by members of Congress in the state. That’s because Shock, who advocates against too much government spending, uses federal funds to send “special congressional recognition” certificates, suitable for framing, to all high school graduates in his district. This is the same Schock who has railed against the government spending money to erect signs showing stimulus-funded projects.

Then Tuesday, GREG HINZ wrote in his Crain’s Chicago Business blog that “some GOP insiders” are suggesting to Schock that he look at running for governor in 2014, and that Schock “is said to be interested.”

No specific amount was listed as being spent by Schock for the certificates, but his total spending on mass mailings and communications from January 2009 through June 2011 was near the middle of the field among House members from Illinois, at $171,680, the Tribune said. The most for current members was $503,111 by U.S. Rep. PETER ROSKAM, R-Wheaton. The least was U.S. Rep. BOBBY RUSH, D-Chicago, who spent nothing. U.S. Rep. JOHN SHIMKUS, R-Collinsville, was near the bottom at $26,406. And freshman U.S. Rep. BOBBY SCHILLING, R-Colona, who, like Shimkus and Schock represents part of Springfield, had spent $13,496 from January through June of this year.

STEVE DUTTON, Schock’s communications director, said the cost of the graduation mailings “is very minimal overall as the letters are printed and mailed from Congressman Schock’s district office in Peoria and his district staff coordinates this project. …” Dutton also said paper and envelopes are purchased in bulk.

“There are many families whose son or daughter’s graduation from high school is the first time a family member has graduated,” Dutton noted. “For those families and others, seeing a child graduate is a special moment and a sense of pride worthy of recognition.”

On to the governor thing. STEVEN SHEARER, Schock’s chief of staff, sent me the email he provided Hinz, where it says that when Schock hears news of how he might run for governor or U.S. Senate, it “never ceases to amaze him because the scenarios are always news to him. Of course he frequently asks people … what they think about him doing that. He always listens … but he has not organized any effort beyond representing the people of the 18th District.”

Shearer said there are “way more people” who are certain Schock is running for Senate than governor in 2014.

All of this comes, Shearer said, despite the fact Schock has focused in his three years in Congress on rising within the House. In 2010, he was among the top 10 House Republicans in raising money for the National Republican Congressional Committee and also in the top 10 raising money for the Young Guns program to finance GOP challengers for House seats.

“While never taking any option off the table, his focus remains rising in House leadership,” Shearer said, noting Schock is a GOP whip and on the “most powerful Ways and Means Committee. As still the youngest member (age 30) and with the fast start he got off to in the House, his future in there is unlimited.”

Bernard Schoenburg is political columnist for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at 788-1540 or bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com.

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